Thomas m



(No Model.)

r T. M. GARDWELL 8v N. B. BERRY.

HINGBD MOUTH PIECE POR MAIL POUGHES.

INVENToR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..-

TOMAS lll. CARDVELL AND NATHAN B. BERRY, OF HARBODSBURG, KY.

HINGED MOUTH-PIECE FOR MAiL-POUCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,572, dated July 8, 1883.

Application filed March 7. 1883.

(No model.)

i, i Aiece for Mail-Pouches, of which the following smeggficatioiu reference being had to the accompaiiyrngtdiciwings.

This invention relates to "mail`1` g y Y pouches; and it consists in a mouth-piece Jcon` sisting of two pairs of arms hinged together and equipped with springs, by which they may be forced open, and having overlapping top flanges and a suitable looking device, all as will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

`In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure l is a perspective view -oi a bag or pouch hav ing our improved mouthpiece, showing the same open. Fig. 2 is a top view. Fig. 3 is a top view, showing the bag or pouch closed. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View, and Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view.,v

rIhe same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings, A AZ and B BZ represent two pairs of' metallic arms, suitably coustructed of flat metal bars, substantially as shown in the drawings. The inner adjoining ends of the arms A A2 and B B2, respectively, are connected by hinges A and'Bi. The outer ends ofthe arms A A2 are likewise joined to the outer ends ofthe arms B B2 by hinges C (l, thereby enabling the arms to be folded or unfolded, much like the frame of a valise. The arms composing the hinged frame or mouthpiece may all be of the same length; or, as shown in the drawings, the arms A and B, which are located diagonally opposite each other, may be longer than'the arms A2 and B. This is for the purpose of enabling a lock, D, which is secured to the arm A, to be located at the center of the frame without interferingwith the hinges. venient and neat than locating the lock near one end, as it would have to be if the arms were all of the same length. The lock may i be a spring-lock ot the usual construction,

This is more conand it engages a staple, E,lsecured to the inner side of the arm B, as shown. A tagholder, F, to receive the destinationcard, may also be secured to one of the arms composing the frame.

To the upper edges of the arms A and B are secured plates G G, projecting inwardly, so as to form flanges, which, when the mouth piece or frame. is closed, overlappthe,arms A HB?,zthnssiormingatightjonit. Y f

l-I H are springs secured to the ends of the arms forming the frame near the hinges C. These springs, which may be of any suitable construction, serve to force the arms apart, thus opening the frame.

The bag, which is denoted by letter l, may be secured to the arms forming the frame by rivets, or in any suitable manner. Metallic clamping-plates may also be employed, but` this is not necessary.

The operation of our invention` will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed.' It is simple, inexpensive, and exceedingly convenient, enabling access to be had to the contents of' the bag or pouch with very little trouble.

Ve claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States-e As an improvement in mouth-pieces for bags and pouches, the combination of two pairs of arms hinged together so as to form a folding frame, springs arranged to force the said 'frame open, plates secured to the upper nedges of two diagonally-opposite arms, and projecting so as to form flanges overlapping the other arms when the frame is closed, and a lockl secured to one of the arms and engaging a staple secured to the other arm, as herein described, for the purpose shown and specified.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses. f

THOMAS M. CABDWELL. Y NATHAN B. BERRY. Vitnessesi BENJAMIN MILLs, S. Davis GARDWELT.. 

